1
as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy
having rid itself of the yoke of colonialism, the new nation chose to be a self-ruling state
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
was granted special status as a self-ruling province
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Recent Examples of self-ruling
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—
Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-ruling
Adjective
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There is little that brings French politicians together these days, but a majority of them seem to increasingly agree that the solution to either of these problems—the far-right and the country’s democratic malaise—won’t come from the current tenant of the Elysée Palace.—
Cole Stangler,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
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Among confirmed titles are the studies of democracy and the democratic process.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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To have a chance at winning in November, a Democratic candidate will need to draw independent voters and sway on the fence Republicans, in addition rallying Democrats, Rottinghaus said.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Sep. 2025
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Though most sightings can be identified as planes, balloons, drones and weather events, the independent group says more sophisticated scientific research is needed, along with efforts to remove the stigma of reporting UFOs (sorry, UAP).—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Tony Xu, cofounder and CEO of food and grocery giant DoorDash, doesn’t sugar coat the company’s efforts, and challenges, developing autonomous delivery technologies.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
8 Sep. 2025
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Tirias Research Watching and waiting for the automotive market to transition to autonomous vehicles (AVs) has been a painful experience.—
Jim McGregor,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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On the ground floor, tribal flags from sovereign Indian nations, both domestic and international, hang.—
Chris Quintana,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
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Indeed, investment committees often default to sovereign credit ratings and currency risk assessments that systematically skew against low-income countries, regardless of actual sector performance.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In the end, Sutton-Schulman won the Triangle Springs appeal, but Highmark classified L’s treatment at Menninger as two separate admissions.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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Luna's Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets was established in February 2025 and is a separate House Oversight subcommittee from the one that last held a hearing on UFOs in November.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-ruling. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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